California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber have issued a letter to the Orosi Public Utilities District (OPUD) Board of Directors regarding the certified results of the 2024 OPUD election, held on November 5, 2024. The letter addresses three incumbent board members—Reynaldo Rivas, Maria C. Gonzalez, and Johnny Sandoval—who lost their reelection bids but continue to claim their positions.
Despite the Tulare County Registrar of Voters certifying the election results, these members argue that the election is "null and void" and plan to remain in office until a new election occurs. No formal contest was filed against the election results within the allowed timeframe.
Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “Few things are as un-American as refusing to accept the results of an election.” He urged Mr. Rivas, Ms. Gonzalez, and Mr. Sandoval to step down immediately and warned that legal action could be pursued if they do not comply.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber emphasized her role in enforcing state elections laws: “An incumbent who is not reelected does not have any authority to unilaterally decide to stay in office." She assured that anyone obstructing a lawfully elected official from assuming office would face accountability.
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors has already issued certificates of election to the winning candidates who took their oaths on December 6, 2024. These individuals are now recognized as legitimate members of the OPUD Board for Districts 1, 2, and 4.
The letter requests written confirmation by noon on January 17, 2025, from Mr. Rivas, Ms. Gonzalez, and Mr. Sandoval that they will cease claiming their board positions.